The Shell and the Glasses

 

Dear Mother,

Character Journal Chapter 10

   After Simon's death, Ralph and Piggy are sitting on their platform. Ralph appears rather traumatized by the "murder" as he calls it of Simon. Piggy tries to justify their actions, but Ralph won't have any of it. The four remaining non-savage biguns, Ralph, Piggy, Sam'n'Eric decide to pretend that it didn't happen, that they didn't take part in the wild dance. Back at the savages' "Castle Rock," Jack is holding a meeting. He thinks that Ralph or even the beast will try and attack their cave Jack refuses to accept that the beast they supposedly attacked last night is dead. He promises his tribe more meat, but they have no means of cooking, so Jack decides to raid Ralph's group again for more fire.

Three savages attack at night. Ralph's group of biguns is assaulted by savages, but they manage to fend them off. After the attack, Ralph and co. are assessing the damage. Everyone seems fine, until Piggy seems to have lost his glasses. The boys look outside, and they see Jack walking away with two savages - and Piggy's glasses. All I can say is; man that is some good eyesight to be able to notice that much detail. And in the dark, too! Maybe I'm missing something, but to me, that is one impressive feat! There's something that intrigues me in this chapter; it's when Ralph is playing his "game of supposing." He thinks of landing in "that big airfield in Wiltshire," and then his thoughts turn to taking a train "all the way down to Devon." Was this where the boys were heading? Was only Ralph heading for these places? This book really should have been bigger - or at least the author should have given a premise in the beginning, and not part-way through the book. Jack is acting rather paranoid in this chapter. He strongly believes that the beast is still alive, even though the boys had already assaulted what they thought was the beast. Did Jack see it was Simon after all? Is he trying to convince himself that Simon's still alive? Is he in denial? Is he flat-out insane?

Well, Jack may be nervous, but it's Ralph who's really desperate now. Those glasses were the one advantage he had over Jack and his tribe. And now they're gone. He's basically left with nothing. His group has now diminished to three biguns and some littluns. Their one tool to make a fire and therefore their one chance for rescue has been stolen by Jack. Ralph is no longer the one in control now. I can only imagine that things are coming to a climax soon.

Signed Ralph